Greenways Master Plan (2011
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Greenways Master Plan 2011 City of Boulder Greenways Master Plan Table of Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... i 1.0 Background .......................................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 History .............................................................................................................................................. 1-4 1.3 Chronology of Projects ..................................................................................................................... 1-7 1.4 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................................................ 1-12 2.0 Key Policies / Issues ............................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.1 Plans ................................................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2 Permits and Codes .......................................................................................................................... 2-10 3.0 Implementation .................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Opportunity Objectives and Goals ................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Project Opportunities ....................................................................................................................... 3-7 3.3 Environmental Opportunities ......................................................................................................... 3-18 3.4 Program Expansion Opportunities ................................................................................................. 3-24 3.5 Project Implementation .................................................................................................................. 3-25 4.0 Maintenance and Funding .................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Maintenance Responsibilities ........................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Funding ............................................................................................................................................. 4-5 Tables Table 1-1: Drainage Basin Size and Length for Tributaries ...................................................................... 1-2 Table 1-2: Existing Greenways Improvements ........................................................................................ 1-15 Table 1-3: Tributary Greenways Inventory of Existing Conditions ........................................................ 1-16 Table 2-1 List of Park Sites along Greenways by Reach ........................................................................... 2-7 Table 2-2 List of Open Space Managed Properties along Greenways by Reach ....................................... 2-9 Table 3-1: Objectives and Goals of the Greenways Program .................................................................... 3-1 Table 3-2 Criteria for Ranking Greenway Projects by Objective .............................................................. 3-8 Table 3-3: Ranking of Greenways Objectives by Reach ........................................................................... 3-9 Table 3-4: Proposed Greenways Improvements by Creek ....................................................................... 3-13 Table 3-5: Proposed Greenways Improvements by Reach ...................................................................... 3-14 Table 3-6: Top Priority Environmental Projects Ranked by Project Scores ............................................ 3-20 Table 3-7: Summary Table from Stress Analysis .................................................................................. 3-22 Table 4-1: Current Maintenance Practices ................................................................................................. 4-6 Figures Figure 1-1: Major Tributuaries .................................................................................................................. 1-3 Appendices Appendix I: Community and Environmental Assessment Process Appendix II: Summary of Cultural Resources Appendix III: Reach Inventories, Projects and Opportunities Appendix IV: Tributary Greenway Guidelines for Open Space and Park Lands Appendix V: Explanation of Changes to Transportation Ratings in Table II-3 Appendix VI: Rankings of Habitat Reaches on Public Properties for Possible Habitat Restoration Projects Greenways Master Plan Map - Pocket Greenways Maintenance Map - Pocket Executive Summary Introduction The City of Boulder Greenways system is comprised of a series of corridors along riparian areas including Boulder The purpose of the Greenways Creek and 14 of its tributaries, which provide an Program is to extend the stewardship opportunity to integrate multiple objectives, including of the City of Boulder to the important habitat protection, water quality enhancement, storm riparian areas along the tributaries of drainage and floodplain management, trails, recreation and Boulder Creek cultural resources. The purpose of the Greenways Program is to extend the stewardship of the City of Boulder to the The Greenways Master Plan provides a important riparian areas along the tributaries of Boulder framework to implement the program Creek. The Greenways Master Plan provides a framework through coordinating planning, to implement the program through coordinating planning, construction, maintenance activities construction, maintenance activities and funding sources of and funding sources of multiple city multiple city departments and outside agencies. departments and outside agencies. The original Greenways Master Plan was adopted by City Council in 1989. The master plan has been updated a number of times, and this latest update includes two key components; (1) the expansion of the Greenways Program to include all of the fourteen major tributaries to Boulder Creek within the city of Boulder; and (2) a summary of current changes to policies and plans that affect implementation of the Greenways Program. The update also provides descriptions of current conditions based on changes that have occurred within the system since the last plan update in 2001. The purpose and objectives of the Greenways Program have not changed. Background In 1984, the City adopted the Boulder Creek Corridor Plan, which recommended development of a continuous path along the entire length of Boulder Creek to serve both as a flood hazard mitigation measure and a linear urban park for recreational and transportation use, as well as provide restoration and enhancement of wetlands and fish and wildlife habitat. When completed in 1987, the Boulder Creek corridor provided not only recreational and transportation opportunities, but a buffer zone between the stream channel and nearby development as well. The Greenways Program is an outgrowth of the Boulder Creek Corridor Project. It was created on the basis of recognition that stream corridors are a vital link in the larger environmental system and that each stream is a natural and cultural resource. Funding for a Greenways Plan was approved by City Council in December, 1987. A Master Plan was developed for the Greenways Program and adopted by City Council in January, 1989. The 1989 plan included Boulder Creek and six tributaries. A refined Tributary Greenways Master Plan was approved by Council in September, 1990. The intent of the original Master Plan was to articulate the overall policy direction for the Program. In August, 1993, City Council directed the Greenways Coordinator to convene an interdepartmental team to update the Master Plan. A public meeting was held in September, 1998 to develop an approach for public involvement in the Master Plan update process. A core group of staff, representing multiple city divisions and departments developed the 2001 Greenways Master Plan update. i The purpose of the 2011 update to the Greenways Master Plan is to add the remaining tributaries to the plan consistent with direction from the Comprehensive Flood and Stormwater Master Plan; bring the plan up to date on progress that has been made to the Greenways program since 2001; and to reflect current adopted policies and plans. Purpose and objectives of the program have not changed. Chapter 1 of the 2011 master plan provides a more comprehensive history of the Greenways Program including a summary of existing conditions. Key Policies and Issues The Greenways Master Plan builds on policies outlined in several existing adopted plans including the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, the Comprehensive Flood and Stormwater Utility Master Plan, the Transportation Master Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the Water Quality Strategic Plan, subcommunity plans, and stream specific flood mitigation plans. In addition, Boulder Revised Code requires securing a floodplain development permit and wetlands permit for most Greenways improvement projects.